CUBE requests every grouping combination of its dimensions, including independent subtotals and the grand total. I compare its output population with ROLLUP before choosing it. More subtotal families are useful only when the report needs them.
SQL Server emergency? Email pinal@sqlauthority.com with URGENT in the subject line.
SQL SERVER – How to Retrieve TOP and BOTTOM Rows Together using T-SQL
Need TOP 1 and BOTTOM 1 in one result? UNION fails with two ORDER BY clauses. Here is a simple T-SQL way to retrieve TOP and BOTTOM Rows together.
SQL SERVER – Transfer The Logins and The Passwords Between Instances of SQL Server 2005
How do you transfer the logins and passwords between instances of SQL Server 2005 after a hardware upgrade? I summarize Microsoft KB 918992 and its script.
SIN and COS: Use Radians for Trigonometric Inputs
SIN and COS read angles in radians and return float. These explicit degree conversions show signs, axis angles and fractional results at a chosen decimal display scale.
SQL SERVER – Dynamic Case Statement – FIX : ERROR 156 : Incorrect syntax near the keyword
Using CASE in ORDER BY to switch between ASC and DESC gives Error 156: Incorrect syntax near the keyword. I show two ways to write a dynamic case that works.
Planning a Move Off an Old SQL Server Version
Plan a move off an old SQL Server version with a complete inventory, compatibility testing, a supported target, and a dated exit plan.
SQL SERVER – SELECT 1 vs SELECT * – An Interesting Observation
SELECT 1 vs SELECT * inside IF EXISTS: I ran 4 tests and both gave the same result and the same execution plan cost. Can you find a case where they differ?
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Who We Are
Pinal Dave is an SQL Server Performance Tuning Expert and independent consultant with over 24 years of hands-on experience. He holds a Masters of Science degree and numerous database certifications.
Pinal has authored 19 books and 125 Pluralsight courses. To freely share his knowledge and help others build their expertise, Pinal has also written more than 5,800 database tech articles on his blog at https://blog.sqlauthority.com.
Pinal is also a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer (CF-L1) and CrossFit Level 2 Trainer (CF-L2).
Nupur Dave is a social media enthusiast and an independent consultant. She primarily focuses on the database domain, helping clients build short and long-term multi-channel campaigns to drive leads for their sales pipeline.
Shaivi Pinalkumar Dave is a book author and a women’s artistic gymnast.

